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Marilia ChiavegatoView profile

Assistant Professor

• Grazing Systems
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Agroecosystems Resilience
• +6 more

Marilia Chiavegato is an Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University, holding a split appointment in the Department of Animal Sciences and the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science. She specializes in agroecosystem sustainability, focusing on crop-livestock integration, grazing systems, and environmental impact assessment. Her work emphasizes climate change adaptation through multi-year analysis of large-scale datasets. Education: Ph.D. in Animal Sciences, Michigan State University (2014) M.S. in Applied Chemistry to Agriculture and the Environment, University of São Paulo (2010) B. Eng. in Agronomic Engineering, University of São Paulo (2008) Research Interests: Resilience of agroecosystems under climate change Greenhouse gas emissions monitoring Grazing management strategies Integrated crop-livestock systems Soil carbon sequestration Recent Work Trends: Dr. Chiavegato’s research bridges field-scale analysis with environmental pressures, focusing on mitigating emissions while enhancing productivity. Recent studies include grazing management’s impact on methane/nitrogen dynamics and biochar’s role in sustainable agriculture. Advising & Grants:** Advises students in Animal Sciences and Horticulture/Crop Science. Research funding sources include USDA grants and collaborative initiatives on sustainable farming. Labs/Teams:** Collaborates with Ohio State’s Agricultural Research and Development Center and Extension programs to translate research into practical farm solutions.

• Biogeochemistry
• Geochemistry
• Astrobiology
• +8 more

Hilairy Hartnett is a Professor at Arizona State University (ASU) with joint appointments in the School of Earth and Space Exploration and the School of Molecular Sciences. She is affiliated with the Central Arizona-Phoenix Long Term Ecological Research (CAP LTER) and the Global Drylands Center, contributing to interdisciplinary initiatives like Earth Systems Science for the Anthropocene and the Global Futures Scientists and Scholars program. Her research focuses on biogeochemical processes, astrobiology, and urban ecology. Hartnett earned an A.B. in Chemistry from Vassar College (1990) and M.S./Ph.D. in Oceanography from the University of Washington. After postdoctoral work at Rutgers University studying river and estuarine systems, she joined ASU in 2003. Her expertise spans geochemical cycles, organic reactions under hydrothermal conditions, and planetary habitability assessments. Research Interests 1. Biogeochemistry : Investigates how geochemical, microbial, and human activities influence elemental cycles in modern and ancient environments. 2. Astrobiology : Explores organic geochemistry in hydrothermal systems and its implications for life detection on icy ocean worlds like Enceladus/Europa. 3. Urban Ecology : Analyzes ecological infrastructure in arid urban environments, such as central Arizona, focusing on stormwater systems and soil-water dynamics. 4. Interdisciplinary Science : Advocates for transdisciplinary approaches to address complex planetary and astrobiological challenges. Recent Trends in Publications Her work emphasizes experimental studies of organic reactions under hydrothermal conditions, leveraging mineral interactions to refine biosignature detection criteria for exoplanets. She also collaborates on global-scale initiatives like the TREC team to integrate elemental abundance data into planetary evolution models. Urban ecology research highlights innovative methods for water sustainability in hyperarid regions like the Atacama Desert. Advising & Grants While no formal advisees are listed, Hartnett leads collaborative research teams and participates in major programs (e.g., CAP LTER, Global Drylands Center). Grant details are not explicitly provided but inferred from her involvement in interdisciplinary projects and experimental facilities. Labs/Teams Affiliated with the Central Arizona-Phoenix LTER, Global Drylands Center, and the TREC team. These collaborations support her work on planetary habitability, astrochemical reactions, and urban biogeochemical processes.

Mitchell L. NeilsenView profile

Professor

• Cyber-Physical Systems
• Distributed Systems
• Scientific Computing
• +7 more

Mitchell L. Neilsen is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Kansas State University's College of Engineering, where he also serves as the graduate program director. He holds the Warren and Gisela Kennedy - Carl and Mary Ice Keystone Research Scholar position and maintains an active research program with multiple ongoing projects. His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Computer Science (1992), M.S. in Computer Science (1989), and M.S. in Mathematics (1987), all from Kansas State University, plus a B.S. in Mathematics Education from the University of Nebraska-Kearney (1982). After beginning his career as an assistant professor at Oklahoma State University, he returned to K-State in 1996. Research Interests: Cyber-Physical Systems: Design, Analysis, Verification of systems integrating computing, networking, and physical processes Distributed Systems: Algorithms, design, and analysis of distributed computing systems Scientific Computing: Computational Fluid Dynamics, Finite Element Analysis, High Performance Computing, and Simulation Application Areas: Agriculture technology, Dam safety analysis, Mobile applications, Natural resources management, and Real-time Embedded Systems His research program shows clear evolution toward agricultural technology applications, particularly high-throughput phenotyping, while maintaining strong foundations in cyber-physical systems and scientific computing. Recent publications indicate increasing integration of machine learning and computer vision techniques into traditional research areas. Research Funding: National Science Foundation U.S. Department of Agriculture Sandia National Laboratories Department of Homeland Security Private industry partners Dr. Neilsen has mentored numerous graduate students through their M.S. and Ph.D. programs, with recent advisees focusing on applications in agricultural technology, dam safety, and embedded systems. His advising approach emphasizes practical applications of theoretical computer science concepts. Current Teaching (Fall 2024): CIS 450 - Computer Architecture and Operations CIS 625 - Concurrent Software Systems CIS 720 - Advanced Operating Systems

• Human Evolutionary Genetics
• Computational Biology
• Genotype/Phenotype Architecture
• +3 more

Timothy D. O'Connor is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, serving as Co-Director for the Program in Health Equity and Population Health (HEPH). His research focuses on the evolutionary and population genetic influences on disease and phenotypic diversity, integrating evolutionary theory with large genomic datasets. He leads the O’Connor Evolutionary Genomics Group, emphasizing collaboration and multi-omics approaches. Education: B.S. Bioinformatics, Brigham Young University (2001-2007) Ph.D. Evolutionary Genetics, University of Cambridge (2007-2011), supported by the Gates Cambridge Scholarship Senior Research Fellow, University of Washington (2010-2013) Research Interests: Dr. O’Connor’s work spans human evolutionary genetics, computational biology, and genetic epidemiology. His lab develops novel algorithms to analyze large genomic datasets, with a focus on New World populations, including studies of Peruvian genomic dynamics, malaria parasite migration, and the evolutionary origins of phenotypic diversity. He emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and the application of evolutionary principles to modern biomedical challenges. Grants & Awards: NIH/NIAID R01 (2020-2025): $499,998 for malaria genomic migration studies in Cambodia/Thailand NIH/NIGMS R35 (2019-2024): $299,713 for evolutionary multi-omics research 2021 Faculty Mentoring Award 2019 Teacher of the Year Award Labs & Collaborations: His lab is part of the TOPMed Program, co-leading the Population Genetics Working Group. He also collaborates on projects like the Peruvian Genome Project and the Gynecological Cancer Center of Excellence. His work bridges academia and clinical practice, addressing disparities in genomic medicine through initiatives like the PENGUIN model for patient engagement.

Jessica SheldonView profile

Assistant Professor

• Bacterial Pathogenesis
• Host-Pathogen Interactions
• Molecular Genetics
• +5 more

Jessica Sheldon is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology & Immunology at the University of Saskatchewan's College of Medicine. She joined the university in 2022 after completing postdoctoral training at Vanderbilt University Medical Center under the mentorship of Dr. Eric Skaar. Her educational background includes: PhD in Microbiology and Immunology (2015) from the University of Western Ontario MSc in Biology (2009) from Lakehead University HBSc in Biology (2006) from Lakehead University Dr. Sheldon's research focuses on the molecular pathogenesis of multidrug resistant bacteria, particularly Acinetobacter baumannii. Her work investigates the tug of war between host nutritional immunity and bacterial nutrient acquisition strategies. She examines how pathogens overcome host-imposed nutrient limitations, with special attention to metal ion homeostasis and iron acquisition mechanisms. Her laboratory employs techniques in bacteriology, molecular genetics, transcriptomics, and infection modeling to identify virulence mechanisms. Her publication record demonstrates consistent expertise in bacterial iron acquisition and host-pathogen interactions, with recent work increasingly focused on Acinetobacter baumannii's evasion of nutritional immunity during infection. The trajectory of her research shows progression from fundamental studies of iron acquisition in Staphylococcus aureus to translational work on a WHO-designated priority pathogen. Dr. Sheldon has established an active research program on multidrug resistant bacterial pathogens, with particular emphasis on understanding the molecular mechanisms that enable pathogens like Acinetobacter baumannii to overcome host defenses. Her work has significant implications for developing novel therapeutic strategies against antibiotic-resistant infections.

Kaitlyn CrawfordView profile

Associate Professor

• Soft Materials
• Flexible Electronics
• Sustainable Polymers
• +1 more

Kaitlyn Crawford is an Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Central Florida, with a secondary appointment in Chemistry. She directs the Functional Materials and Sensors Lab, focusing on sustainable soft materials for flexible electronics and biomedical applications. Her research integrates polymer science and engineering to develop wearable sensors for health monitoring, biodegradable materials to reduce e-waste, and natural polymer composites. Current projects include a $1.5M DHS-funded wearable for firefighter heat-stress monitoring and NASA-funded space applications. Her recent publications emphasize sustainable polymers, bionic devices, and AI-driven diagnostics. Awards include the 2024 ACS PMSE Early Investigator Award and a Jewish National Fund fellowship. She leads multiple graduate students in biomedical and materials research. Awards: 2024 ACS PMSE Early Investigator Award Faculty Fellowship Program in Israel, Jewish National Fund Faculty Excellence Honoree, Women’s History Month (UCF)

Ayşegül AksoyView profile

Professor

• Environmental systems engineering
• Integrated waste management
• Water quality modeling and management
• +4 more

Prof. Ayşegül Aksoy is a faculty member in the Department of Environmental Engineering at Middle East Technical University (METU) since 2002. She holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia (2000) and has held visiting roles at Stanford University (2015-2016) and the University of California Davis (2001). Her academic leadership includes Vice Chair roles in METU's Environmental Engineering Department (2012-2015 and 2006-2009), and she co-developed UN courses on Black Sea environmental management. Her research focuses on environmental systems engineering, integrated waste management, water quality modeling, and remote sensing applications. Notable projects include developing autonomous systems for lake turnover monitoring, optimizing landfill leachate management, and evaluating solar sludge drying alternatives. She has directed over 20 graduate theses and contributed to research funded by TÜBİTAK, Newton Fund, and EU programs. Key awards include the AQUA 360 Best Paper Award (2021) and TÜBİTAK Fellowships. Her work spans 120+ peer-reviewed publications, with recent focus areas including anaerobic digestion optimization, GIS-based waste routing, and pollutant fate modeling in heterogeneous aquifers. She advises on national environmental policies and manages projects like the 'Turnover Response System Development' (2020-2023) and 'Chlorophyll-a Modeling in Lake Eymir' (2009-2010).

Rachel O'NeillView profile

Professor

• Genome Stability
• Retroelement Transcription
• Centromere Function
• +5 more

Rachel O'Neill serves as a Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Connecticut's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Her research bridges molecular genetics, cytogenetics, and computational genomics to investigate fundamental mechanisms of genome stability and evolution across diverse eukaryotic species. Her primary research interests focus on retroelement transcription, centromere function, chromosome evolution, and species-specific genomic adaptations. O'Neill's lab pioneers telomere-to-telomere (T2T) genome assembly methodologies using next-generation sequencing technologies, establishing non-traditional model organisms including marsupials, monotremes, birds, marine species, plants, and insects for comparative genome biology studies. Human Telomere-to-Telomere Consortium Primate T2T Consortium Gibbon T2T Consortium Earth Biogenomes Project Ruminant T2T Consortium Fly T2T Consortium Deep Ocean Genomes Project Antarctic Genomes Consortium Colossal Foundation UConn’s Biodiversity and Conservation Genomics program O'Neill's recent publications (2021-2025) demonstrate leadership in large-scale genomics initiatives, with significant contributions to understanding centromere biology, sex chromosome evolution, and conservation genomics. Her work spans marsupial mole genomics, ruminant chromosome evolution, and epigenetic regulation of X-chromosome inactivation, reflecting her lab's broad impact across evolutionary biology, conservation, and fundamental genome science. Her laboratory actively trains students through cohort-based programs including the RaMP Cohort and Biodiversity and Conservation Genomics Program, securing substantial collaborative funding through multi-institutional consortia. The lab maintains strong infrastructure for advanced genome assembly and epigenomic analysis, with particular expertise in challenging repetitive regions and non-model organism genomics.

Roland Valdes Jr.View profile

Professor

• Clinical Chemistry
• Toxicology
• Pharmacogenetics
• +3 more

Roland Valdes Jr. is a Tenured Professor at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in the Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He also serves as Chief of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicology at University Hospital and Director of the Clinical Chemistry Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. A Diplomat of the American Board of Clinical Chemistry and Fellow of the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry, he has held leadership roles including Senior Vice-Chairman and presidential positions in organizations like the Clinical Ligand Assay Society and the Association of Clinical Scientists. PhD in Molecular Biophysics from University of Virginia Postdoctoral training in Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry/Toxicology Dr. Valdes' research focuses on clinical chemistry, pharmacogenetics, and precision medicine. He pioneered CLIA-accredited pharmacogenetic diagnostics through PGXL Laboratories, advancing personalized medicine via laboratory innovations. His work spans therapeutic efficiency optimization, anticoagulation management, and pharmacogenetic clinical implementation. Notable publications include: 1997 seminal work on pharmacogenetics in clinical practice (Clin Chem) 1999 exploration of pharmacogenetics in laboratory medicine (Molec Diag) 2012 clinical trial comparing PerMIT anticoagulation management (Thromb Haemost) Scientific awards and recognitions: Diplomat of American Board of Clinical Chemistry Fellow of National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry Distinguished scientist awards from AACC, NACB, CLAS, and ACS Dr. Valdes has chaired federal committees (CLIA, NIH Study Sections), authored 260+ publications, and holds patents in clinical chemistry. He founded PGXL Laboratories, the first CLIA-accredited pharmacogenetic diagnostics lab, and continues developing novel clinical chemistry techniques for precision medicine.

Martyn T. SmithView profile

Professor

• Molecular Epidemiology
• Toxicology
• Genomics
• +3 more

Martyn T. Smith is a Professor of Toxicology and the Kenneth Howard and Marjorie Witherspoon Kaiser Endowed Chair in Cancer Epidemiology at the University of California, Berkeley. He has led the Superfund Research Program (SRP) Center at Berkeley since 1987, a flagship NIH-funded program focusing on toxic waste site remediation and the exposome paradigm. His research spans molecular epidemiology, toxicology, and genomics, with a focus on chronic diseases like cancer and diabetes. Education: BSc in Biology (Queen Elizabeth College, 1977), PhD in Biochemistry (Medical College of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, 1980), Postdoc in Toxicology (Karolinska Institute, 1981). Awards: AAAS Fellow, 2010 Children’s Environmental Health Network Award, 2024 Stokinger Award (ACGIH). Teaching: Courses include Advanced Toxicology and Health Risk Assessment. Dr. Smith’s research emphasizes the exposome approach to assess cumulative environmental risks, particularly from chemicals like arsenic, benzene, and PFAS. His team combines biomedicine and engineering to address complex environmental health challenges. Grants & Labs: The SRP Center, funded at ~$2.15M annually, includes 6 projects and 5 cores targeting hazardous site remediation. Collaborations focus on translational research and community engagement. Future Work: Expanding exposomics applications to improve risk assessment and remediation strategies for multi-chemical contaminated sites.

Eric E. AlaniView profile

Professor

• DNA Mismatch Repair
• Genome Stability
• Meiotic Recombination
• +3 more

Eric E. Alani is a Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Cornell University, part of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). He leads the Alani Lab, focusing on DNA mismatch repair (MMR) and genome stability mechanisms in yeast, with implications for human colorectal cancer and infertility. His research integrates genetics, biochemistry, and single-molecule approaches to study MMR protein interactions during meiosis and vegetative growth. Dr. Alani holds academic roles including former Director of Graduate Studies and NIH T32 Program Director. He teaches advanced courses like BioMG6330: DNA Biology, emphasizing experimental design and critical analysis. Over 23 PhD students, 8 postdoctoral fellows, and 28 undergraduates have completed training in his group. His work includes collaborations with biophysicists and population geneticists, funded by NIH grants. Key research projects include analyzing MLH1-MLH3 roles in crossover formation, MMR protein-DNA interactions via fluorescence microscopy, and understanding how MMR prevents recombination between divergent sequences. His lab explores genetic incompatibilities in yeast strains affecting mutation rates and adaptation, with broader implications for pathogenicity studies. Awards: 2009 Carpenter Memorial Advising Award Teaching: BioMG6330, BioMG7800, and others Labs: Located in 459 Biotechnology Building, Ithaca, NY

Ruan ElliottView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Nutritional Metabolism
• DNA Damage and Repair
• Nutrigenomics
• +4 more

Dr Ruan Elliott is Dean of the Doctoral College and Senior Lecturer in Nutrition at the University of Surrey's School of Biosciences. He holds a PhD in Nutritional Metabolism (2017) and BA in Natural Sciences from Cambridge (1988). His research focuses on nutritional modulation of DNA repair mechanisms, functional genomics in nutrigenomics, and micronutrient homeostasis of iron, copper, selenium, and zinc. He has led studies on vitamin D efficacy, food bioavailability, and oxidative stress biomarkers. Education: PhD (University of Surrey, 1992), BA (University of Cambridge, 1988) Previous Roles: Senior Scientist (Institute of Food Research, 1994-2009), Postdoctoral Fellow (University of British Columbia, 1992-1994) His research integrates molecular biology and nutrition to address health impacts of dietary components. Recent work explores oat-based milk alternatives' sensory profiles, vitamin D supplementation efficacy, and DNA repair pathways in cardiovascular disease. He collaborates internationally on projects like the D2-D3 Study and NuGO initiatives. Publications emphasize translational research, including systematic reviews on insect protein efficacy and meta-analyses of vitamin D supplementation. His work bridges lab-based models (e.g., Caco-2 cells for iron studies) and clinical applications. No scientific awards were explicitly listed in the provided texts. He advises on doctoral training programs and has contributed to grant-funded projects like the University of Surrey's food and infection biosciences initiative (2024). Collaborations include studies on probiotics' immune effects and transcriptomic analysis of metabolic conditions.

Heike KrebberView profile

Professor

• mRNA Quality Control
• ncRNA Functions
• Molecular Biology
• +3 more

Prof. Heike Krebber is a Professor for Molecular Genetics at Georg-August University Göttingen, Germany. Her research focuses on mRNA quality control and non-coding RNA functions, using the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae. She has held positions at the DKFZ (Heidelberg), Harvard Medical School, and Philipps-Universität Marburg. Her work addresses how mRNA processing defects contribute to diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration. Education & Positions: PhD (1996), Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum Heisenberg Fellow (2006) Habilitation in Molecular Biology (2005) Professor since 2010 at Georg-August University Research Interests: Her lab investigates: RNA quality control mechanisms ensuring proper mRNA maturation and export Functions of non-coding RNAs (e.g., lncRNAs in iron metabolism and telomerase) Ribosome assembly and translation termination pathways Stress-induced bypass of mRNA quality control Awards: Heisenberg Fellowship (2006) Grants & Teams: Leads the Molecular Genetics group at the Institute for Microbiology and Genetics. Collaborates with the IMPRS Molecular Biology and GZMB (Molecular Biology of Cells) programs. Labs & Affiliations: Her group is part of the GGNB network, focusing on Microbiology and Biochemistry. The lab’s work spans fundamental molecular mechanisms with translational disease relevance.

• Bryophyte Ecology
• Moss Conservation
• Biodiversity Distribution Patterns
• +3 more

René Belland is a Professor in the Department of Renewable Resources at the University of Alberta, specializing in bryophyte (mosses and liverworts) ecology, conservation, and large-scale distribution patterns. He serves as Curator of the department's Bryophyte Herbarium and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses focusing on field skills, moss identification, and conservation. His research emphasizes environmental and historical factors influencing moss diversity, with a focus on Alberta's ecosystems and rare species protection. Education: Holds BSc, MSc, and PhD degrees (institutions unspecified). His teaching excellence is recognized through awards such as the William Hardy Alexander Award (2018) and multiple ECSA Teacher of the Year titles (2015–2024). He also mentors undergraduate research, earning the 2024 Outstanding Mentorship Award. Research interests span bryophyte biogeography, conservation strategies for rare species, and ecological impacts of forestry practices. His publications explore moss diversity in boreal forests, national parks, and contaminated environments. He collaborates on projects like assessing heavy metal contamination in sphagnum bogs and analyzing post-harvest forest recovery. Teaching responsibilities include specialized courses such as REN R 327: The Mosses of Alberta and directed research programs for undergraduates. His work bridges field-based identification, conservation science, and ecological restoration.

Kourosh R AhmadiView profile

Associate Professor

• Precision Nutrition
• Human Genetics
• Vitamin B12 Deficiency
• +3 more

Dr. Kourosh R Ahmadi is a Reader in Precision Nutrition at the University of Surrey's School of Biosciences. His research focuses on Precision Public Health, Vitamin B12 deficiency, and genetic epidemiology. He teaches modules on B-vitamins and one-carbon metabolism in Nutrition and Dietetics programs. Research interests include vitamin B12 status analysis, genomic influences on micronutrient metabolism, and health disparities in populations such as South Asians and African-Caribbean communities. He has contributed to studies using UK Biobank data to assess vitamin deficiencies and bone health in diverse groups. Key publications address clinical pitfalls in diagnosing B12 deficiency, genetic determinants of nutritional status, and dietary impacts on health outcomes. His work highlights the importance of tailored nutrition strategies for plant-based diets and vulnerable populations.